Washington Capitals 2017 Season Review: T.J. Oshie
Washington Capitals forward T.J. Oshie had a heck of a season for the Caps in 2016-17. Now he might hit free agency after having the best season of his career.
Before the 2016-17 season, it had been a while since someone not named Alex Ovechkin has led the Washington Capitals in goal. T.J. Oshie changed that by tying The Great Eight for the team lead with 33 goals, the most goals in any season of his career. In many ways, he had the best season of his career.
The Capitals traded for Oshie to be a complementary piece for their team. During his two year tenure with the team, he has proven to be far more. Oshie turned into arguably their most important wing, or at least their most efficient.
All stats, unless otherwise noted, are at even strength. Corsi and goals for numbers are adjusted. Stats courtesy of Hockey Analysis. Italics mark a career high.
2016-17 Stats
Boxcar
| Goals | Assists | Points | PP points | 5v5 points | Plus-minus | Penalty Minutes | Blocked Shots | Hits | TOI per game |
| 33 | 23 | 56 | 13 | 40 | 28 | 36 | 50 | 95 | 17:51 |
Rates
| 5v5 Goals/60 | 5v5 assists/60 | 5v5 primary assists/60 | 5v5 points/60 | 5v5 iCorsi/60 | PP goals/60 | PP assists/60 | PP points/60 |
| 1.54 | 0.80 | 0.54 | 2.34 | 10.64 | 1.89 | 1.26 | 3.15 |
Possession
| CorsiFor% | Rel. CorsiFor60 | Rel. CorsiAgainst60 | Rel. CorsiFor% | GoalsFor% | Rel. GoalsFor60 | Rel. Goals Against60 | Rel. GoalsFor% |
| 51.6 | 2.04 | 2.26 | -0.1 | 65.3 | 1.10 | 0.19 | 5.8 |
The Good
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Oshie set career highs in goals (33), even strength goals per 60 minutes (1.54), plus-minus rating (+28) and even strength points per 60 minutes. He contributed during all situations, including power play and penalty kill. In fact, Oshie had the highest CorsiFor percentage of any Capitals forward with at least 50 minutes played while shorthanded.
When he was killing penalties, the Caps created more shot attempts for and allowed fewer attempts against. Even in terms of shots on goal, when Oshie was killing penalties, the Capitals created significantly more shots on goal.
The power play was most effective when number 77 was on the ice, leading the team with an on-ice goals for per 60 minutes rate of 10.70. Oshie converted four of his six shootout attempts, which is pretty impressive. His 12 points in the postseason trailed only Nicklas Backstrom.
The Bad
Oshie wasn’t outstanding at puck possession. Also, his 0.19 relative goals against per 60 minutes at even strength (remember positive is bad and negative is good) was the fourth highest among Capitals forwards. Oshie isn’t likely to replicate this season because he had a career high 23.1 shooting percentage, the highest in the NHL.
Future
He’s set to become an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career. Should Oshie become a free agent, he’ll be unquestionably the best free agent forward available. However, the Capitals are trying to keep him and there’s mutual interest. Regardless of what happens from here on out, Oshie’s tenure in Washington should be viewed positively. He did more in two years than most politicians accomplish in four (or their whole lifetime, if you ask some people).
Player Grade
A+. Oshie was arguably the Capitals’ best wing this season. If the Caps want to make one last run at the Stanley Cup, re-signing him makes a lot of sense. However, they have to make sure they realize he’s never having another season like this one.. Forward. Washington Capitals. T.J. OSHIE
Discussion
Should the Capitals re-sign Timothy Jimothy Oshie? What is the maximum in terms of years and cap hit you would go with him? Be sure to answer these questions in the comments!